# Explain why it is difficult to develop drugs that can be used to treat viral infections.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 2.6.3 Medicines and drugs · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Viruses live/reproduce inside host cells
2. A drug that kills/damages the virus would also damage/kill the host cell
3. Viruses mutate rapidly / viruses change quickly
4. This means a drug developed against one strain may not work against a mutated/new strain

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-it-is-difficult-to-d5baa91c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.